Pimlico Academy, located in London, was inspected on October 5 and 6, 2021, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Good. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, and leadership and management were also rated as Good, while personal development and sixth-form provision were rated as Outstanding. The school had not been inspected for 11 years prior to this evaluation, during which it was rated Outstanding under a previous framework. The long gap between inspections was due to the school being exempt from routine inspections by law until November 2020.
The inspection highlighted that staff and pupils at Pimlico Academy take academic improvement seriously. Leaders have invested significant time in planning the curriculum, ensuring that pupils learn in a structured manner. This approach has proven particularly effective in the sixth form, where students excel in a diverse range of subjects. However, some pupils face challenges with the demanding texts they are required to study, lacking the necessary language and reading skills to fully engage with the material. This has resulted in some students feeling overwhelmed and not achieving their full potential.
Pupils at Pimlico Academy benefit from a wide array of extracurricular activities designed to enhance their physical and mental well-being, as well as their academic interests. These activities include clubs that deepen subject knowledge and opportunities to showcase talents in various fields such as art, music, sports, and drama. Despite a period of instability in the previous academic year, leaders and trustees have worked diligently to rebuild trust within the school community, although some parents still express concerns regarding ongoing improvements.
Behavior in the school is generally good, with pupils understanding the rules and their purpose. While incidents of bullying and discriminatory language do occur, leaders address these issues seriously and effectively, contributing to a sense of safety among students. The school has made commendable progress in stabilizing after recent turbulence, maintaining a focus on educational quality. Subject leaders receive strong support from the trust, which aids in detailed curriculum planning and professional development for teachers.
The curriculum is well-structured, with a clear sequence of knowledge that pupils are expected to learn. Regular revisiting of core knowledge helps students retain key concepts. In the sixth form, curriculum leaders have developed organized plans that connect new learning to prior knowledge, enabling students to grasp complex ideas and build a comprehensive understanding of their subjects.
However, the English curriculum lacks sufficient opportunities for pupils to read a broad range of non-fiction and contemporary texts. Leaders are aware of this gap and are in the early stages of addressing it. The ambitious selection of texts aims to enhance pupils' cultural capital, but some students struggle to access the curriculum due to insufficient language and reading skills. This discrepancy hinders their learning experience.
Leaders are committed to understanding and meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring appropriate support is in place. Most pupils demonstrate focus in lessons, although some fall short of the high standards expected. There are concerns among pupils regarding the consistent application of the behavior policy by all staff, which can lead to disruptions in learning.
The personal development program is of high quality, addressing essential topics such as consent and democracy. The school provides excellent guidance for sixth-form students, helping them make informed choices about their future education. While trustees have ambitious curriculum aims, some staff and parents remain dissatisfied with the trust's approach to school improvement. Leaders are encouraged to enhance communication strategies to ensure all stakeholders feel informed and heard. Overall, while Pimlico Academy has made significant strides, there are areas that require further attention to ensure all pupils can thrive academically and personally.
